l'Orient - La Rochelle in early October

[Laser310]

I'm thinking of chartering a sailboat out of L'Orient in about the first week of October.

The aim is to cruise at least as far south as La Rochelle, in a relaxed fashion, stopping along the way, and then returning to l'Orient.

Is this an acceptable time of year to do this?

I understand it might get a bit cool in evenings, but the boat has heat, so that's fine.

I don't want to be holed up in port the whole week though...

If I stop at, say, Belle Ile en Mer, and other similar places, will anything still be open? Or, will it all be boarded up for the winter?

I've been further south in mid October - in Bordeaux - on the coast, and it was fine: not always bathing suit weather, but generally fine. On the other hand, the surfers at Biarritz had pretty big waves...

 

[penfold]

La Rochelle is a port and industrial town, there's plenty open all year.

 

[Bobc]

Bars and restaurants start to go into winter opening at the start of October, so you will find thing a bit quieter, but there will usually be somewhere to eat. Weather can be lovely or can be stormy or any mix. I've had 25 degrees and sunshine and also 50kts and downpours.

 

[John_Silver]

I'm thinking of chartering a sailboat out of L'Orient in about the first week of October.

The aim is to cruise at least as far south as La Rochelle, in a relaxed fashion, stopping along the way, and then returning to l'Orient.

Is this an acceptable time of year to do this?

I understand it might get a bit cool in evenings, but the boat has heat, so that's fine.

I don't want to be holed up in port the whole week though...

If I stop at, say, Belle Ile en Mer, and other similar places, will anything still be open? Or, will it all be boarded up for the winter?

I've been further south in mid October - in Bordeaux - on the coast, and it was fine: not always bathing suit weather, but generally fine. On the other hand, the surfers at Biarritz had pretty big waves...

Have you managed to get your hands on a JPK, then?

 

[Bobc]

I'm thinking of chartering a sailboat out of L'Orient in about the first week of October.

The aim is to cruise at least as far south as La Rochelle, in a relaxed fashion, stopping along the way, and then returning to l'Orient.

Is this an acceptable time of year to do this?

I understand it might get a bit cool in evenings, but the boat has heat, so that's fine.

I don't want to be holed up in port the whole week though...

If I stop at, say, Belle Ile en Mer, and other similar places, will anything still be open? Or, will it all be boarded up for the winter?

I've been further south in mid October - in Bordeaux - on the coast, and it was fine: not always bathing suit weather, but generally fine. On the other hand, the surfers at Biarritz had pretty big waves...

You might be better hiring out of La Rochelle that time of year, as you are further south and are more likely of good weather.

 

[Laser310]

Have you managed to get your hands on a JPK, then?

RM - not the 1270.., but a bit smaller

 

[Obi]

I tried I'le d'Yeu in July, August and later in the season, possible Sept or Oct. This was back in 2014, it was very quiet later in the season. There were a lot of places closed up. It might have changed since then, but it felt a little forlorn compared with the lively atmosphere in the summer months.
Royan, Sables D'olonne, La Rochelle, Pornichet, Pornich, Lorient were all lively enough later in the year.

Probably the difference in activity and liveliness is down to the simple fact one is a holiday island, the others are normal towns.

 

[Bobc]

RM - not the 1270.., but a bit smaller

Alternative Sailing have a fleet of RMs at La Trinite.